I recently rescued my first bunny- since I was a fairly young child, when my family and I owned two, about 3 weeks ago. And i’m so glad I did! Manny( because he has wolly feet, is a tannish brown color, and all around reminds me of Ice Age) has quickly became my best friend. He has nearly complete free roam of my room, with the exception of at night when he is locked inside an XL dog pen with a litter box, pellets, hay, water, and a surplus of toys to keep him occupied throughout the night. He has given me a quick purpose to get up in the morning, the will to accomplish something even if it is just to give him hay, it gets me up for the day and that’s more than I could ever ask for.

I have given in and looked at topics and other websites on how to “bond” with your rabbits, but personally, I don’t believe in forcing it in that sense. I want out trust, love, and respect for one another to come naturally. With this being said, I spend nearly all day with him as I work from home, in my room where he is. He gets plenty of pets, scratches, and i talk to him continuously throughout the day. For at least a few minutes, I like to lay flat on the floor to get to his level, as I know they are more comfortable with their feet on the ground and I avoid picking him up unless necessary as he really does not enjoy it. But he does enjoy climbing, sniffing, and exploring me when I get to his level. He even binkies afterwards sometimes, as well as periodically throughout the day. 

I have read about how some bunnies will lick their people in a show of affection, but he has not done this yet, though I understand I am still fairly new to him and I don’t know if hes comfortable, having no idea of where he came from as he was a shelter rescue. However, here they enter: the cuddles. After only having him for about 3 days, that night he jumped over to me, as I was sitting on the floor, and started nudging my knee. I know nudging can mean many things, so I tried moving out of his way but he still persistent. Then I gave him a few good pets, with that he stopped and sat there. Once I stopped though, he started nudging my knee AGAIN and then laid down; not the totally spread out, relaxed, but his feet were tucked under him and he continued to nudge me. So, I thought why not, and I layed down, curled myself over him much like as if he were a little spoon, and he went completely belly down, eyes closed, ears back; relaxed. And now, this is our nightly routine. Rarely does it happen in the day, usually before he goes to bed as I usually lock him up around 12. Hell nudge me, ill cuddle him well stroking and talking to him, and then hell decided when its over by getting up and binking away. I never force him to stay if he doesn’t want to, nor do I try to force the cuddling, I let him come to me when he wants, and leave when he wants whither that’s in 10 minutes or an hour, because yes, i have laid curled around a rabbit for an hour, many times since getting him.

Not only did i want to share this because I think it is just the cutest thing, but I also wanted to know if any other bunns do this? And if so, is it a continuous thing or do they eventually stop? I really don’t mind it, its actually very calming for me as well, especially if Ive had a bad day its a ground experience of sorts.